Tag Archives: predecessor

Harry Redknapp has launched a blistering attack on some of the players he inherited from his predecessor at Queens Park Rangers, Mark Hughes.

After seeing his side lose 1-0 at Newcastle, Redknapp said: ‘There’s an awful lot of players at this club earning far too much money for what they are; far, far, far too much money for their ability and what they give to the club.’

Not happy: Harry Redknapp hit out at his high earning QPR players after they lost to Newcastle

And in a thinly-disguised swipe at
the club’s transfer dealings under Hughes, Redknapp expressed his
reluctance to take advantage of the transfer market during the January
window after admitting: ‘We’re short in certain areas.’

He added: ‘I don’t want to spend the
owners’ money really. I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t want to
see the owners have their pants taken down like they have in the past. A
lot of agents have made an awful lot of money out of them. I fined a
player (Jose Bosingwa) last week and he was earning more than anybody at
Tottenham, so that tells you everything.

Job to do: Redknapp is not sure if he will spend money in January

‘We’ve got a stadium that holds
18,000 people and shouldn’t be paying big wages. Newcastle’s ground
holds 55,000 and I bet you most of their players won’t be earning what
our players are. So that is a problem.’

Redknapp fined Bosingwa after the
defender refused to sit on the bench for the game against Fulham last
week. Redknapp said: ‘He didn’t want to be a substitute so he went home.
He has been fined two weeks’ wages — 130,000. Not bad for two weeks is
it Not too bad for playing on a Saturday.’

Blame game: Clint Hill and Shaun Derry look frustrated during the game

Asked how he might handle a player like that, Redknapp said: 'We'll find out in January.'

Rangers are one of a series of clubs
to have been linked with Newcastle striker Demba Ba, whose
well-publicised release-clause could spark a scramble for his signature.

Dejected: Jamie Mackie of QPR shows his disappointment after they concede a late goal

But Redknapp said: 'We've not got 7million to spend on a player, I'd have thought.'

Redknapp is to appoint his former
Spurs chief scout Mike Broomfield to his backroom team this week in a
bid to help remedy the club’s recent transfer policy.

Richardson takes over Accrington reins following Cook departure to Chesterfield

|

UPDATED:

13:10 GMT, 1 November 2012

Accrington have appointed Leam Richardson as their new manager.

Richardson had been serving as caretaker boss at the Crown Ground since Paul Cook's decision to join Chesterfield last week and led Stanley to a 1-0 weekend win at Bristol Rovers, ending a four-game losing run.

The 32-year-old former Stanley defender fulfilled a similar role when John Coleman departed to Rochdale last season but takes the reins on a full-time basis from Saturday's FA Cup first-round clash at AFC Fylde.

Loyal servant: Richardson has spent seven years at Accrington

Gone: Cook left Stanley to take over at Chesterfield

'It's a bit surreal to be honest,' said Richardson in a club statement.

'The conversations that we've had this
week have gone really well and I'd like to thank the chairman Peter
Marsden and Rob Heys, the board, the players, all of the staff and of
course the fans for giving me this opportunity.

'This is fantastic and I'd like to think I could repay everyone with hard work and get some success at the club.'

Managing director Heys made it clear Richardson was Accrington's No 1 choice in the wake of Cook's departure and the appointment comes despite speculation that he might have resumed duties as his predecessor's No 2 at the Proact Stadium.

'As soon as Paul made the decision to leave Leam was always our first choice to make the step up and take over as the manager,' Heys said.

'Over the last eight months as Paul's assistant he has demonstrated all the qualities that we were looking for and I have no doubt that he will do a great job in his new role.'

Richardson was part of the Accrington team that won promotion to the Football League in 2006 and went on to play almost 150 times for the club.

Andre Villas-Boas has no concerns about Jermain Defoe burning out and instead believes the striker is thriving under the pressure of being Tottenham's main frontman.

The 30-year-old has flourished since the Portuguese's arrival as he has gone from a bit-part player under predecessor Harry Redknapp to the side's first-choice striker.

Defoe is also featuring regularly for England, but international football combined with Spurs' domestic and European exertions has raised questions as to whether he can cope with such demands.

The former West Ham man has featured in 15 matches for club and country in the past two-and-a-half months, but Villas-Boas insists he has no concerns about the striker.

Feeling the strain: Jermain Defoe has had a busy season

'Let's compare it to last year. People were begging for chances and here they are,' the former Chelsea manager said.

'Obviously it is a different type of situation, but at this time of the season I am not worried yet.

'You take out the first three games of the season as they were separated by a week, there were international breaks when he played some of the games but not all.

'He still has power and energy in his legs. Also the possibility of him equalling Teddy Sheringham or overtaking him on the top 10 of Tottenham's goalscorers is something that motivates him.'

The pressure on Defoe's shoulders has been intensified by the lack of out-and-out attacking options at Tottenham, although the return to fitness of Emmanuel Adebayor will help lift the burden on the diminutive striker.

Weight on his shoulders: Defoe has been Spurs' attacking spearhead

Villas-Boas hopes the Togo international will be available after back pain for the trip to Southampton, where several other key players are set to come back into the reckoning.

'Gareth Bale will definitely return and Adebayor we will have to wait and see,' he said.

'Mousa Dembele we will have to wait and see, although he is making good progress.

'We've recovered recently [Kyle] Naughton and Jake [Livermore] so it is opening up a bit for us in terms of people recovering. It gives us the ability to have some fresh legs against Southampton.'

Michael Dawson is also a doubt through illness, which will means much of the team that featured in Slovenia on Thursday evening will be utilised once again at St Mary's.

Spurs were held to a disappointing 1-1 Europa League draw at NK Maribor and now face the challenge of a quick turnaround to face Saints.

'I think we had one of our strongest performances against Aston Villa after a trip to Panathinaikos,' Villas-Boas said.

'This is a shorter trip, certainly we don't have the squad in-depth to give us the options other people might have.

'I think what we are trying to do is not just go through in a competition that means a lot to the club, but also educate the players on this intensity of matches that in the end is equal to any team playing in the Champions League.

'It is one day more, obviously, than the others and it is our preference to play on Sunday.

'By that previous example of Aston Villa, it leaves us in a comfortable position and hopefully it won't take its toll.'

Williams surprised to win Wales captaincy as he thought Ramsey was doing good job

|

UPDATED:

16:23 GMT, 11 October 2012

Wales captain Ashley Williams admits he was surprised to be asked to lead the side again and has revealed he received congratulations from his predecessor Aaron Ramsey.

Dragons boss Chris Coleman opted to switch the armband from Arsenal midfielder Ramsey to Swansea skipper Williams ahead of the current international break, in which Wales play a double-header of World Cup qualifiers against Scotland at home on Friday and Croatia away on Tuesday.

Williams, 28, has captained his country on four occasions but after Ramsey had been named as skipper in 2011 at the age of 20, the Swans centre-back did not think he would get another opportunity.

Surprise: Ashley Williams (right) was not expecting to captain Wales again

Asked if had believed the armband would come his way again, Williams said: 'Probably not to be honest, because I thought Aaron was doing a good job.

'I was just concentrating on trying to play my best for Wales. So probably not, but I'm happy.

'He (Coleman) asked me if I wanted to do it – he didn't tell me I had to.

'He called me and said he had spoken to Aaron. Obviously I was over the moon, and he just said we would have a chat when we got to camp.'

Asked about Ramsey's reaction, Williams said: 'I have spoken to Aaron and he said congratulations.

'We kind of laughed and that was it really – no big deal. We get on fine.'

Wales head into the Scotland clash bottom of Group A having lost their first two fixtures, a 2-0 home reverse to Belgium and then a humiliating 6-1 defeat in Serbia.

Those results last month extended the Dragons' losing streak since Coleman was appointed as manager to five games, including the 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in the Gary Speed memorial match.

Williams feels Friday's contest at Cardiff City Stadium is 'definitely a must-win match' and has stressed that the players want a victory for their manager, on whom the pressure has been increasing.

Referring to Coleman, Williams said: 'After the results I think you are always going to get criticised like that, especially him – being the manager, it is obviously going to fall on his shoulders.

'But I think all the boys really like him and we have enjoyed working with him.

'We really want to win for him as well – I think that is true in this case.

'He is going to be criticised and we would like to turn that around for him because I don't think it's really deserved.

Deposed: Ramsey has lost the Wales armband

'I think we have kind of let him down on the pitch and we would like to put that right.”

Scotland opened their own campaign in somewhat disappointing fashion with two home draws, 0-0 with Serbia and 1-1 with Macedonia.

It means the heat has also been on their manager Craig Levein, although Coleman is adamant both he and his opposite number can handle the criticism.

'Craig is a big boy like me,' Coleman said. 'We know as soon as you walk in the door, especially if it is an international job, there is more scrutiny on the games because there are fewer of them and less time to get things right.

'It is a nation looking at you. Craig can handle that, the same as I can.

Good job: Williams said Ramsey was doing a good job

'Once you start looking at the negative side of things, it stops you making decisions and it is finished for you.'

Serbia currently top Group A with four points, the same amount that Belgium and Croatia have, while Macedonia have one.

Assessing the situation, Coleman said: 'In terms of us doing a bit of damage in this group, then we have to get a win as quickly as we can.

'There is a game tomorrow night, so why not then Scotland are coming down and they are not going to lie down for us – they are under their own pressure.

'They have a good squad and it is going to be a typical British game I imagine – fast, probably aggressive, and with a fantastic atmosphere. We have to try to use that for our own benefit.'

Coleman confirmed wide man Gareth Bale, who has been nursing a heel complaint, would be taking part in full training today, but the manager does not expect defender Adam Matthews (ankle) to be fit to play in Friday's match.

Bring on Chelsea! AVB plots downfall of former club after Spurs stroll to victory

|

UPDATED:

06:18 GMT, 8 October 2012

Raring to go: Andre Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas set his sights on halting Chelsea's unbeaten run after guiding Tottenham to an impressive fourth straight Barclays Premier League win on Sunday.

Spurs followed up their historic win over Manchester United by strolling to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa that came courtesy of goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon.

The Londoners played some of their best football of the season, and they are now joint fourth in the table with Everton, who are five points short of table-toppers Chelsea.

Chelsea won the Champions League two months after Villas-Boas left and they have started this season in supreme form, dropping just two points from their opening seven games.

But with Spurs now exhibiting the same kind of football that brought them so much praise under Villas-Boas' predecessor, the Portuguese is confident of ripping up the Blues' unbeaten record when they play each other a week on Saturday at White Hart Lane.

He said: 'It's obviously going to be a difficult game but we are showing good levels of competence and we hope to profit from the fact that we play at home and profit from the fact that we play an unbeaten league leader to help on our motivation to try to beat them.'

East street: Tottenham cruised to victory over Aston Villa on Sunday

Villas-Boas thinks the game will be a good test to see whether his side are capable of attaining the top-four position that was demanded of him when he signed a three-year contract at White Hart Lane this summer.

He added: 'It will give us the chance to finally break in to the top four and join the elite of the Premier League which is what we have been wanting for quite some time.'

Rodgers dismisses claims of home hoodoo and hopes to restore fear factor at Anfield

|

UPDATED:

14:20 GMT, 6 October 2012

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits he is not entirely sure why the team's home record has been so poor in recent times, but insists there is no major 'psychological' problem with his players at Anfield.

Thursday's 3-2 Europa League defeat to Udinese means the Reds have now gone five games in all competitions without a win on their own turf, with their only victory there this term coming in a qualifier for the continental tournament against Belarusian outfit FC Gomel.

Liverpool also struggled at Anfield last season under Rodgers' predecessor Kenny Dalglish, taking maximum points in just six of their 19 home Barclays Premier League matches.

It is something Rodgers finds difficult to comprehend, but he has stressed the players are working hard to address the issue and is not convinced they are suffering any kind of stage fright.

Confidence trick: Brendan Rodgers will hope to restore some home comforts

Speaking ahead of the home clash against Stoke, Rodgers said: 'Sometimes it is just a confidence factor, and you also have to imagine that when any team comes to Anfield, it is one of the biggest games of the (visiting) players' lives.

'Playing at home is certainly not a distraction. I think to play at Anfield is a real honour and a privilege and the support we get from the crowd is incredible.

'The backing we get every time we play there is fantastic, so it is just one of those statistics there is no explanation for.

'What you have to do is just try to work very hard. We have performed well there this season – in the Europa League (qualifying) game we have won, and we have come close in a number of the Premier League games and should have won.

'Obviously it overspills into last season as well, but psychologically, there is nothing there for me (in terms of a problem).

'We have just got to get the results – hopefully we can get some wins there and perform well for the rest of the season.'

Reality check: Liverpool react to Sebastian Coates' own goal

Following his appointment as manager over the summer, Rodgers has had a mixed start to his tenure at Liverpool, with the team accruing only five points from their opening six league fixtures.

He has been trying to introduce a dynamic, aesthetically-pleasing style of play at the club which is in sharp contrast to the direct approach Stoke are associated with.

It is hard to deny that the Potters have impressed in terms of the way they have adapted to life in the Premier League since their promotion in 2008, achieving consistent mid-table finishes under boss Tony Pulis.

Rodgers has nothing but praise for his opposite number and feels Stoke do not get the credit they deserve.

'No matter what brand of football you play, playing against any team in this league is difficult, and Stoke are certainly one of those teams,' Rodgers said.

'I have great respect for Tony and the work he has done. He has taken Stoke a long, long way from the time he went in there.

Famous win: Udinese celebrate victory at Anfield

'He got them promoted and they are now very much an established team at this level.

'There is no right or wrong way to play football – at the end of the day, it is about getting results.

'Tony has his way of working and I don't think they get enough praise for the actual football they do play.

'They do play some good football, but obviously, they have a stigma about playing a slightly longer game.

'You have to work as a team and defend against that, and then bring your own style to the game.'

Meanwhile, Rodgers has spoken of how highly he rates Reds defender Daniel Agger, who has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

'Daniel is a terrific player and I am absolutely delighted he has committed himself. It's a big boost for everyone connected with the club,' said Rodgers.

'He's one of the best centre-backs in world football. His balance, his reading of the game, his defensive qualities and his ability to bring it out from the back is outstanding.'

Hodgson accused of ignoring Stoke after Crouch bags another two at the Britannia

|

UPDATED:

21:39 GMT, 30 September 2012

Roy Hodgson has been accused of ignoring the England claims of Stoke City players and perpetuating a stance that has created ‘a stigma’ at the Britannia Stadium.

The England manager followed the lead of his predecessor Fabio Capello by again staying away from the Potteries and passing up the chance to monitor the form of Peter Crouch and Ryan Shawcross, ahead of this week’s squad announcement.

Crouch scored both Stoke goals and hit the bar with a header, while Shawcross was surefooted as ever at the heart of their defence.

Pick me, Roy! Peter Crouch scored another two goal at the Britannia Stadium

In the absence of any England representation, however, neither expects to feature in Hodgson’s latest selection.

Capello never set foot inside the Britannia during his England tenure, and few others from the national set-up have deigned to visit since Mark Chamberlain became the last Stoke player to wear the Three Lions in 1984.

Asked whether a map detailing Stoke’s whereabouts might be a requirement for Hodgson and his assistants, winger Matthew Etherington smiled wrily, and said: ‘You would think so, wouldn’t you, because it has been like this for a while now.

'There is no doubt Crouchie should be in the squad. His England record is second none, and he has been scoring regularly for us.

'His goals have been amazing, and he brings others into the game. He’s priceless for us, end of story.

‘With John Terry finishing, Ryan should be in the frame as well. But it does seem that if you play for Stoke, there is a certain stigma attached to it.

'Crouchie should be in, and Ryan should definitely be looked at, after performing consistently and helping us keep clean sheets. But it isn’t happening, and it is frustrating. It’s a puzzle, without a doubt.

‘It says it all, really, that no-one was here today. The England manager says he is going to pick players on merit.

'He should follow his word. I don’t want to come across as “we are Stoke and everyone hates us” but Crouchie is a given and Ryan should be getting a mention.

Ignored: Roy Hodgson has been accused of overlooking Stoke players for England

‘We are light on centre-forwards, and it’s difficult to know what more Crouchie can do than score 15 goals last season and another five so far this time. It’s the same with Ryan.

'He and Robert Huth have to be one of the best partnerships in the country, and if he keeps performing to such a high level, he must be in with a shout.’

Swansea must have wished they could have skipped an uncomfortable afternoon at the Britannia, after looking lightweight against Stoke’s direct approach.

They paid for leaving Crouch unattended at a 12th-minute corner and were undone again when the former Tottenham striker scored at the second attempt from close range in the 36th minute.

Stoke were untroubled at the back, but Michael Laudrup insisted he will stick to his passing principles, despite a third straight Barclays Premier League defeat.

‘We haven’t scored in any of those three games, and the biggest concern is that we are not creating chances,’ said the Swansea manager.

‘It is a bit strange, after we scored 10 goals in our first three games, and we have to find out why it has happened.

‘We at least created chances in the other games we lost, but not this one.

'We have to look into that, but our passing and movement is important to the way we play. We just need to do it better.’

Worth a look: Matthew Etherington believes Ryan Shawcross (left) should be considered

Bradford have appointed former Leeds winger Francis Cummins as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

Cummins, who was recommended for the job by his predecessor Mick Potter after he opted to return to Australia, was unveiled on Monday morning at Odsal hosted by new owner Omar Khan and honorary chairman Gerry Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe said: 'We had no hesitation in taking Mick's recommendation to offer the job to Francis and we are delighted he has accepted our offer.'

New man: Bradford Bulls have confirmed Francis Cummins as their coach

It will be Cummins' first role as a head coach and, at 35, he will be the youngest in Super League when he takes charge of his first match in February.

Catalan Dragons' Australian boss Trent Robinson is nine months younger but he is leaving at the end of the season to take charge of Sydney Roosters.

Cummins enjoyed a one-club career with Leeds, for whom he made 356 appearances from 1993 to 2005, and also won three caps for Great Britain.

The former Ireland international cut his coaching teeth as an assistant at Leeds before being appointed as Potter's number two at the start of the 2010 season.

Along with Potter, Cummins worked without pay for the last three months of the season after being made redundant by the administrator amid the club's financial problems in early July.

'Andrew played 100 Test matches, 7,000 runs, and it feels like I've spent all my England career walking out to bat with him.

'That's a huge hole to fill – and unfortunately it might mean I have to take the first ball now.

'As an England dressing room it's going to be hard to fill his boots, and I think that's a huge compliment to Andrew Strauss.

Experience: Cook already has 20 Test hundreds

'We've got India away and we've got two Ashes series in the next 18 months, so there's a lot of cricket to play and hopefully I can do a good job.

'I think Straussy summed it up, you've got to throw yourself into it and meet the challenge head-on and I hope I've got the leadership qualities to be able to do that.'

ECB chief executive David Collier said: 'On behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in cricket I'd like to thank Andrew Strauss for his outstanding contribution to the game.

Been there, done it: Cook has captained England's ODI team for the last year

Cut above: Cook was the only genuine candidate to replace Strauss

'Andrew has been a highly successful captain and opening batsman for Middlesex and England who will be remembered for leading the side to two Ashes victories and to the top of the test rankings.

'He has shown tremendous integrity, dedication and commitment both on and off the field and under his leadership the side has grown immeasurably and reached new levels of professionalism.

'Andrew's calmness and authority when dealing with some of the most difficult moments in our sport in recent times should be applauded and I have no doubt that his contribution as an ambassador for the game will be recognised by anyone who has had an opportunity to spend time with him.

'His legacy within the game will be felt for many years to come and we now need to continue to build on the progress we have made under his leadership.

'I would like to congratulate Alastair on becoming Test captain. He has shown he has the traits needed to be a successful captain and has demonstrated his leadership capabilities as one day captain over the last 16 months.

'On behalf of the ECB I would like to wish Alastair and Andy Flower all the very best for the exciting challenges that lie ahead.'